The Dow Chemical Company has announced that Midland, MI has been identified as the preferred site for the first full-scale production facility for its new DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles, subject to finalizing local, state and federal funding. In her State of the State address this week, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm spoke of the site selection, which […]

BF Staffhttps://businessfacilities.com/2010/02/dow-eyes-midland-mi-for-site-of-solar-shingle-plant-2/The Dow Chemical Company has announced that Midland, MI has been identified as the preferred site for the first full-scale production facility for its new DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles, subject to finalizing local, state and federal funding. In her State of the State address this week, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm spoke of the site selection, which […]3:44 pm

Dow Eyes Midland, MI for Site of Solar Shingle Plant

The Dow Chemical Company has announced that Midland, MI has been identified as the preferred site for the first full-scale production facility for its new DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles, subject to finalizing local, state and federal funding. In her State of the State address this week, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm spoke of the site selection, which could bring more than 1,200 jobs to the region by 2014.

“Dow welcomes the opportunity to work with the City of Midland, the State of Michigan and Governor Granholm to secure support for renewable energy technologies, like the DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle,” said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow Chairman and CEO. “Collaboration between government and business is essential to overcoming the challenges facing our society today, including energy, climate change and the creation of sustainable jobs. As the leader in applied chemistry, Dow is well positioned to address the technical challenges of bringing affordable, renewable energy solutions to the market and to be a leader in ushering America into the new clean-energy future.”

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. currently is considering up to $140 million in economic incentives for the plant, which would produce the innovative photovoltaic solar panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. Local, state and federal funding will help Dow Solar Solutions to accelerate production plans for the solar shingles already being manufactured in a small-scale market development plant at Dow’s Michigan Operations in Midland.

If received, the MEDC economic package will add to the $100 million in investments Dow has already made in the development of solar solutions since the program’s inception in 2007 when Dow was awarded a $20 million Solar America Initiative Pathways Program grant by the U.S. Department of Energy.

“At Dow, innovation is about our ability to apply materials science to address a challenge like the need for affordable, renewable energy sources,” said Jane Palmieri, General Manager of Dow Solar Solutions. “Being able to work with the State of Michigan and other funding sources to accelerate the commercialization of groundbreaking technologies like DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle allows consumers and the marketplace to have quicker access to energy saving technologies, which is a win for everyone.”

The expected growth of more than 1,200 jobs to support the increased solar shingle production will be in the manufacturing, commercial and technical areas, with staffing anticipated to begin in late 2010. DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles are expected to be available in limited amounts by mid-2010 and projected to be more widely available in 2011 as production scale up begins, putting the power of solar electricity generation directly and conveniently in the hands of homeowners.

The DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle was unveiled October 5, 2009, as the first in a portfolio of building related solar energy generating products. Since its introduction, the shingle has been hailed as revolutionary, including being named one of the “50 Best Inventions of 2009” by TIME magazine.

Additionally, Dow and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) announced the signing of a multi-year research collaboration that is strategic to both organizations’ interests in solar energy. The arrangement is aimed at developing the next generation of ultra low cost, high efficiency photovoltaic materials and will accelerate the speed to market for these next generation materials.

The Hoosier Energy Power Network’s Economic Development team is dedicated to providing valuable site selection information and assistance to companies considering a relocation or expansion in Indiana or Illinois.

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